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5 Benefits of Meditation and Ways to Meditate

by | meditation, yoga

Meditation is becoming increasingly popular. The newest term that we hear is “practicing mindfulness”.  Really the benefits of meditation is that it allows us to focus our mind on a particular object, thought or activity; bringing our mind into the present.

Meditation improves focus

Meditation improves your ability to perform tasks requiring focus. “One study tested a variety of different meditation types and found that they all improve focus by varying degrees.”

Enhances self-awareness

“Mindful breathing” is a meditation technique that improves our self-awareness. This meditation technique starts with being fully aware of your breathing. The sensation of the breath and the sensations of the body. Simply focus on the feeling and noise of the breath as it travels through your nose, into your chest and the rising of your stomach. Relaxation is achieved as a side effect of breathing focus. If you practice this daily, your body experiences physiological effects opposite to the fight-or-flight response. Your breathing and heart rate is slower, the production of stress hormones decreases, your immune system strengthens, etc. These physiological effects help to calm the mind and lessen stress and anxiety. 

Lengthens attention span

Benefits of meditation can be attained through focused-attention and mindfulness meditation. This improves the ability to re-orient and maintain attention. Workers who regularly practiced meditation stayed focused on tasks and remembered details of their task better than their co-workers who didn’t meditate. Moreover, meditation may even reverse patterns in the brain that contribute to mind-wandering, worrying and poor attention.

Improves sleep

Studies show that people who meditate fall asleep sooner and stay asleep for longer, compared to those who don’t practice meditation. Practicing meditation can help you control or redirect your racing thoughts that often lead to insomnia. It can help relax your body, release tension and place you in a peaceful state. This can help you fall asleep.

Reduces stress

Stress is an inevitable part of life. You can practice meditation to relieve daily pressure and stress. Meditation is incredibly effective at reducing stress and anxiety levels. It also [literally] reduces the density of brain tissue associated with anxiety and worrying. If you want your stress levels to plummet, meditation may be the answer.

Monday night at 5:45pm and Tuesday morning at 9:15am I run an hour Yoga class. These classes focus on breath work and finish with a 10 minute meditation.  Book online if you would like to join us for one of the classes. Alternatively, give me a call on 0414 544944.  Spaces are limited as classes are small, 6 people max.

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